Back in the days when my reading material consisted of young miss and Sassy I faithfully tore out pages on skin care and make up how-tos. My routine generally was to slather my face with Noxzema and call it a day but after my sister gave me a heap of Estee Lauder products I found I liked the fancy-pants department store goodies far better than my drugstore knock-offs. My favorite bit of goodness was a tall aqua container that contained a scrub of milky goodness called Cleansing Milk Grains. Eventually I used up that whole container and marched off to my May Company to pick up a new container only to find that there was a reason I stuck with drugstore knock-offs...ahem...the fancypants cleansing grains cost thrity-two smackeroos! I feared my sixteen year old self would forever be a Wet N Wild girl (in some ways that holds true but we won't talk about that) until a study of the ingredients revealed I could kind of, sort of make my own and so I did and still I do. Here is an updated version for you to make and share.
Calendula Milk Mask
*one envie powered milk
*1/4 cup corn meal
*1 T calendula blossoms
*mortar & pestle
*drop or two of lavender oil (optional)
*happy jar
This diy facial cleanser/scrub/mask is ridiculously easy to put together. Simply combine ingredients into a mortar and crush out any lumpy bits to a fine powder. You can skip this if you like but powdered milk and cornmeal tend to be pretty gritty. If you do not have a mortar and pestle, place ingredients into a plastic bag and roll with a rolling pin or pour into a food processor and pulse until fine.
Since you are going to be using this on your skin I would recommend using organic cornmeal and milk though you do not have to. Back in the 80s when I first made this I used our basic non-organic kitchen staples. Calendula blossoms are not necessary but they do add a bit of pretty if you are gifting this. Calendula is often used in products for people with eczema and/or sensitive skin and can be found online or at your local organic market where the bulk herbs and teas are usually displayed.
Blend it all together and pour into a small happy jar or container. If using lavendar essential oil, add a drop or two (no more) to the mixture and blend.
To use, splash warm water onto your face then place a small spoonful of mixture onto your palm, add a few drops of water and mix using your pointer and index fingers on the opposite hand until you get a paste. Apply to face in a circular motion and rinse or leave on until dry then rinse. I do this on mornings when I am going to be at work or out and about (two to three times a week). I find it invigorates my skin and it makes me feel a smidge more presentable.
Enjoy!
